God bless Tilda. She always gives us something to talk about. Since we all had so much fun YEAing or NAYing her shoes the other day, why not do the same to her latest bag?Here’s our girl attending the “We Need to Talk about Kevin” premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in a Haider Ackermann fall 2011 dress paired with an Olympia Le-Tan clutch. The dress is gorgeous and she looks fabulous in it but let’s get a closer look at that clutch, shall we?

We featured Olympia Le-Tan’s book-inspired handbags before and we said back then that we weren’t entirely sure we loved seeing something so artsy-craftsy paired with an evening look. But Swinton operates on a whole ‘nother fashion sphere and somehow she’s making this look like the height of chic. It helps that it’s so tiny. Some of Le-Tan’s bags are as big as a hardcover novel, but the tiny size of this clutch somehow makes it look elegant rather than crafty. And speaking of crafty, we can’t help thinking, given Tilda’s history as a fashion provocateur, that this bag, with its juvenile theme, is somehow a (rather dark, we have to admit) wink at the subject matter of the film she’s promoting. But bitchy minions have claimed we can’t be objective about Tilda (confusing us perhaps with Supreme Court Justices or editors of newspapers), so we’re turning it over to you:

i can’t be objective about tilda, either ~ everything she does is YEA in my book. off topic: i think mia wasikowska = the new tilda, fashionistically-speaking. she takes similar risks and has the ability to pull of quite a lot of looks ranging from high fashion androgyny to sweetly feminine.

kaycem

i can’t be objective about tilda, either ~ everything she does is YEA in my book. off topic: i think mia wasikowska = the new tilda, fashionistically-speaking. she takes similar risks and has the ability to pull of quite a range of looks… i’m SO GLAD y’all post about her.

queenofsheebah

yea! its fantastic and i want to make my own… brb googling how to cross stitch — o.O

Anonymous

Yea! Just the perfect size!

queenofsheebah

yea! its fantastic and i want to make my own… brb googling how to cross stitch — o.O

Much of her stuff appears to be done with a chain stitch, which is relatively easy to master. I’ve used it (with a disappearing ink marker) to embroider all kinds of things (Christmas stockings, pillowcases, etc.).

HEY! I made one of those book purses when i was 10, out of an actual book may I say.

Joey

yea! — maybe you can do a post about her haider ackerman —

Alzarius Star

HEY! I made one of those book purses when i was 10, out of an actual book may I say.

Joey

yea! — maybe you can do a post about her haider ackerman —

Anonymous

Absolute Yea! I like the book-inspired bags, big or small. It adds a touch of fun to the look. Also, she looks freaking amazing in that blue-on-blue ensemble. Gorgeous.

Anathema_Device

Absolute Yea! I like the book-inspired bags, big or small. It adds a touch of fun to the look. Also, she looks freaking amazing in that blue-on-blue ensemble. Gorgeous.

Anonymous

Yea, clearly! I’ll be honest, I can’t be objective about her either. She’s just too fabulous. But I really love these book purses. I loved Portman’s (and the others you showed in that post) and I love this one. They’re just so bloody cute. I think I love this one a bit more just because it was used so thoughtfully. I adore the little nod to the movie. And while I prefer the size of this one with an evening dress, I didn’t mind the larger one.

anon

Ordinarily I’d say nay. Those Olympia Le Tan things were supercute for exactly five minutes a year ago… But Tilda is looking AMAZING and she picked the exact right “book” to complete the look. HUGE YEA FOR TILDA!

Anonymoth

Yea, clearly! I’ll be honest, I can’t be objective about her either. She’s just too fabulous. But I really love these book purses. I loved Portman’s (and the others you showed in that post) and I love this one. They’re just so bloody cute. I think I love this one a bit more just because it was used so thoughtfully. I adore the little nod to the movie. And while I prefer the size of this one with an evening dress, I didn’t mind the larger one.

anon

Ordinarily I’d say nay. Those Olympia Le Tan things were supercute for exactly five minutes a year ago… But Tilda is looking AMAZING and she picked the exact right “book” to complete the look. HUGE YEA FOR TILDA!

Eclectic Mayhem

YAY! Probably partly because I had an Ant and Bee book (Ant and Bee Go Shopping) when I was a wean and I loved it but also because Tilda is simply fabulous.

Eclectic Mayhem

YAY! Probably partly because I had an Ant and Bee book (Ant and Bee Go Shopping) when I was a wean and I loved it but also because Tilda is simply fabulous.

DaringMiss

I had that book as a child. I even had their other book “Around the World with Ant and Bee” and I credit it as the genesis of my love of travel.

So this gets a big “IN” from me.

Anonymous

I liked the bags before, felt is not so elegant but the embroidery and applique work are so flawless that the bags are very suit able for evening She always look exquisite

DaringMiss

I had that book as a child. I even had their other book “Around the World with Ant and Bee” and I credit it as the genesis of my love of travel.

So this gets a big “IN” from me.

SewingSiren

I liked the bags before, felt is not so elegant but the embroidery and applique work are so flawless that the bags are very suit able for evening She always look exquisite

Nancy

I love it. And that dress!

Nancy

I love it. And that dress!

Anonymous

I think the artsy craftsy-ness of it works here because of the scale; not just the size, but also because everything else she’s wearing is so simple and chic. And she just has this innate ability to look fabulous wearing things that would make lesser mortals look ridiculous. It’s that X factor thing (the real X thing, not the dumb tv show).

I think the artsy craftsy-ness of it works here because of the scale; not just the size, but also because everything else she’s wearing is so simple and chic. And she just has this innate ability to look fabulous wearing things that would make lesser mortals look ridiculous. It’s that X factor thing (the real X thing, not the dumb tv show).

–GothamTomato

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

LittleKarnak

Not too objective about Tilda myself so of course it’s a YAY. Very clever but I’m sort of dreading this movie, that book was sort of awful…. as in very much a downer w/no likeable characters, IMHO. But of course I’ll see it due to my Tilda crush….

bees

Kevin was a pick for my book club once, and we ALL hated it. The author is a helluva writer, but yeah, what you said.

clc

I’m glad I am not the only one who thinks that is a terrible book. I can’t believe it’s been made into a movie.

Theplasticmouse

Yea! Tilda is forever Yea! Objectivity be damned!

Theplasticmouse

Yea! Tilda is forever Yea! Objectivity be damned!

Moi

Sorry, but I can’t get past the silliness of it. I like whimsy as much as most, but this kind of frou-frou just doesn’t do it for me on a grown woman…

Moi

Sorry, but I can’t get past the silliness of it. I like whimsy as much as most, but this kind of frou-frou just doesn’t do it for me on a grown woman…

bees

Kevin was a pick for my book club once, and we ALL hated it. The author is a helluva writer, but yeah, what you said.

I love these book clutches but they cost over a $1000 so its completely out of my reach (sigh) not that I think Tilda paid anywhere near that price (or anything at all actually). It may look like a well-excuted etsy project but its priced as couture.

Terry

I love these book clutches but they cost over a $1000 so its completely out of my reach (sigh) not that I think Tilda paid anywhere near that price (or anything at all actually). It may look like a well-excuted etsy project but its priced as couture.

Anonymous

This might have been Affected or Twee with anyone else, but I’ve never known Swinton to go near either of those places — and the proportion here keeps it from going into Statement. But hey, considering that glorious custom Haider A. (+ suitable makeup!), I’d have been OK with a sale clutch from Ross.

Lilak

This might have been Affected or Twee with anyone else, but I’ve never known Swinton to go near either of those places — and the proportion here keeps it from going into Statement. But hey, considering that glorious custom Haider A. (+ suitable makeup!), I’d have been OK with a sale clutch from Ross.

Aafje

Ant and Bee were my favourite children’s books, so I have to love it even if it looks ridiculous!

Aafje

Ant and Bee were my favourite children’s books, so I have to love it even if it looks ridiculous!

SweetCaroline

Fabulous!

I want that clutch. And I love the way it looks with the evening gown (although the fabric looks a little heavy)

YAY of course

SweetCaroline

Fabulous!

I want that clutch. And I love the way it looks with the evening gown (although the fabric looks a little heavy)

YAY of course

Anonymous

She is perfection. The bag comes off as witty rather than inappropriate or juvenile. I would bet it is an intentional sardonic nod to her film, as you suggest, because Tilda is nothing if not the intellectual’s fashion icon.

Cynica

She is perfection. The bag comes off as witty rather than inappropriate or juvenile. I would bet it is an intentional sardonic nod to her film, as you suggest, because Tilda is nothing if not the intellectual’s fashion icon.

Jill

I am completely incapable of being objective about her either. I am also completely incapable of being objective about anything that has to do with books. So double YAY for me! You’re absolutely right about the tiny size of the purse. Makes it much more chic, and wittier, I’d say.

Jill

I am completely incapable of being objective about her either. I am also completely incapable of being objective about anything that has to do with books. So double YAY for me! You’re absolutely right about the tiny size of the purse. Makes it much more chic, and wittier, I’d say.

A complete YEA and YAY! I think the fact that she’s not holding the purse awkwardly and deliberately to show off the front does a lot of favors. You can only see the craftines as you get in REAL close. I adore this entire outfit on her… and look at that fun sparkly ring!

A complete YEA and YAY! I think the fact that she’s not holding the purse awkwardly and deliberately to show off the front does a lot of favors. You can only see the craftines as you get in REAL close. I adore this entire outfit on her… and look at that fun sparkly ring!

The first word that comes to mind is incongruous, but that could be a description of Tilda herself. So it’s a yea from me.

Anonymous

Seeing as how my own handbag choices would usually get a Nay (unless I’m wearing jeans, boots and a blazer); and seeing as how I don’t care what kind of bag someone carries, I can’t criticize this. It’s silly without being precious. YEA

P.S. She looks absolutely fabulous here. The blues are perfectly coordinated. And I love her hair.

Seeing as how my own handbag choices would usually get a Nay (unless I’m wearing jeans, boots and a blazer); and seeing as how I don’t care what kind of bag someone carries, I can’t criticize this. It’s silly without being precious. YEA

P.S. She looks absolutely fabulous here. The blues are perfectly coordinated. And I love her hair.

Samantha Ritchie

YEA! i love those things as artsy-farsty as they may be

Samantha Ritchie

YEA! i love those things as artsy-farsty as they may be

Foxy

Yea! I loved Ant and Bee books so it’s great to see them coming to the party.

Foxy

Yea! I loved Ant and Bee books so it’s great to see them coming to the party.

I love the Olympia Le-Tan bags madly, truly and deeply. When’s something’s that cute, quirky and gorgeous (and, let’s admit it, EXPENSIVE) why not stick it on the red carpet? Tilda could take or leave, but the bags j’adore.

Anon

I love the Olympia Le-Tan bags madly, truly and deeply. When’s something’s that cute, quirky and gorgeous (and, let’s admit it, EXPENSIVE) why not stick it on the red carpet? Tilda could take or leave, but the bags j’adore.

Much of her stuff appears to be done with a chain stitch, which is relatively easy to master. I’ve used it (with a disappearing ink marker) to embroider all kinds of things (Christmas stockings, pillowcases, etc.).

the woman could be carrying a brown paper bag and it would be a YEA for me.

AudreysMom

the woman could be carrying a brown paper bag and it would be a YEA for me.

Andrea Weymouth

I do think you guys go overboard with the Tilda-love sometimes but she looks great in this, the dress is fabulous and I looove the clutch, maybe it’s the gold edging that gives it a more elegant look. A big fat YEA!

Andrea Weymouth

I do think you guys go overboard with the Tilda-love sometimes but she looks great in this, the dress is fabulous and I looove the clutch, maybe it’s the gold edging that gives it a more elegant look. A big fat YEA!

Definitely a confusing look, but it’s Tilda. On anyone else it would be an automatic NAY (well, maybe not Drew). I’m not a Tilda fashion fan, but she knows what her style is. And for her I’d say Ya- or maybe Yeah.

Hey, why is my name showing up rather than by screen name? I don’t want my name on here.

Lori Hutchinson

Love the wee clutch. It’s a little bit of whimsical.

Lori Hutchinson

Love the wee clutch. It’s a little bit of whimsical.

Lilithcat

I love it! But then, I collect abecedaria, so I’m biased.

Lilithcat

I love it! But then, I collect abecedaria, so I’m biased.

jzzy55

I think the bag is wonderful but I find it too casual for the dress/event. It needs a bit of sparkle. I would rather have seen her with a vintage beaded or metal mesh bag if she wanted to carry a funky purse.

jzzy55

I think the bag is wonderful but I find it too casual for the dress/event. It needs a bit of sparkle. I would rather have seen her with a vintage beaded or metal mesh bag if she wanted to carry a funky purse.

Am I the only one who likes the slightly larger ones better? I think it’s because this doesn’t look like a book as much – not a children’s book, anyway – I don’t think many children’s books would be of that size and thickness, anyway. But perhaps that’s exactly why T and L respond to it better – but I like the bookish quality of these purses.

Am I the only one who likes the slightly larger ones better? I think it’s because this doesn’t look like a book as much – not a children’s book, anyway – I don’t think many children’s books would be of that size and thickness, anyway. But perhaps that’s exactly why T and L respond to it better – but I like the bookish quality of these purses.

MilaXX

I think the smaller size works. It reminds me of the pocket books for kids, the ones made in smaller sizes for tiny hands.

YEA.Tilda Swinton can do no wrong in my book,besds the clutcth is fun.

clc

I’m glad I am not the only one who thinks that is a terrible book. I can’t believe it’s been made into a movie.

Marieanne

YEA. Love her.

Marieanne

YEA. Love her.

Marieanne

YEA. Love her.

Julaine Morley

YEA, but only for Tilda, for now. But I’d be interested to see others attempt to make it werq.

Julaine Morley

YEA, but only for Tilda, for now. But I’d be interested to see others attempt to make it werq.

MilaXX

YEA and well played. It’s the perfect bag and the perfect size. It adds a bit of whimsy to her outfit and still looks chic. I wish I could afford one of those bags.

MilaXX

YEA and well played. It’s the perfect bag and the perfect size. It adds a bit of whimsy to her outfit and still looks chic. I wish I could afford one of those bags.

MilaXX

I think the smaller size works. It reminds me of the pocket books for kids, the ones made in smaller sizes for tiny hands.

guest

Okay, so the blue of the dress looks AMAZING on her. Wow! Wait, we were talking about the clutch… um, sure, I’ll say YEA. Not sure I love it. But, it works here.

guest

Okay, so the blue of the dress looks AMAZING on her. Wow! Wait, we were talking about the clutch… um, sure, I’ll say YEA. Not sure I love it. But, it works here.

ccm800

yea – hell yea

SoCalMary

I am surprised that I like it, but I really do like it with that outfit.

SoCalMary

I am surprised that I like it, but I really do like it with that outfit.

meaghan

Yay!

Meaghan9

Yay!

Anonymous

As a dark little fashion statement, given the film, I’d say yea. It’s twisted, and I like it. As a general rule? Meh.

It is giving me a delightful daydream as a librarian though–next season, the in accessory will be a REAL BOOK. Yes, everyone who’s anyone will be carrying one, maybe with a delightfully fashionable little carrying case that gives just a peek of the cover. Reporters will ask, “Oo, who wrote your book?” and the dreadfully chic will be able to answer, and tell what’s happening in the story or what the nonfiction writer is going on about. Everyone will rush out to buy or borrow one, because they just have to be seen sporting this trend.

Er… never mind. Off on a tangent. ;p Clearly, mine would be a Jasper Fforde novel.

BuffaloBarbara

As a dark little fashion statement, given the film, I’d say yea. It’s twisted, and I like it. As a general rule? Meh.

It is giving me a delightful daydream as a librarian though–next season, the in accessory will be a REAL BOOK. Yes, everyone who’s anyone will be carrying one, maybe with a delightfully fashionable little carrying case that gives just a peek of the cover. Reporters will ask, “Oo, who wrote your book?” and the dreadfully chic will be able to answer, and tell what’s happening in the story or what the nonfiction writer is going on about. Everyone will rush out to buy or borrow one, because they just have to be seen sporting this trend.

Er… never mind. Off on a tangent. ;p Clearly, mine would be a Jasper Fforde novel.

KB

Love it. It’s gorgeous with the look.

KB

Love it. It’s gorgeous with the look.

CAT

Double ‘yea’ for the purse and that cocktail ring.

MzzPants

Double ‘yea’ for the purse and that cocktail ring.

banga

Yea for all the reasons you mentioned + the color blue is like perfect discordant harmony with the blue of her dress.

banga

Yea for all the reasons you mentioned + the color blue is like perfect discordant harmony with the blue of her dress.

Al

It’s a little surprising to see SWINTON rocking the arts and crafts accessory, but, as she is SWINTON, she can do whatever the hell she wants to. I love it, but I don’t think she cares what I think.

Oh my… she looks really mannish. Which is great if you are a lesbian. But she isn’t, is she? Not an ounce of femininity.

carlabarla

I’ll be sure to throw away all my dresses, since “mannish” is what I should aim for the next time I go to mack on other ladies! Harrumph.

Momzilla

This is her idea of beautiful and interesting clothes (she doesn’t always please me, but I think she pleases herself). As I recall she lives with TWO men so I think the look is working for her heterosexually.

guest

I agree – I see Conan O’Brien in a pretty dress

marciekr

I like the handbag much more than the dress. The dress looks awful. Just because she is a free spirit on the red carpet doesn’t mean she should get a pass when she totally drops the ball. Nay on everything.

marciekr

I like the handbag much more than the dress. The dress looks awful. Just because she is a free spirit on the red carpet doesn’t mean she should get a pass when she totally drops the ball. Nay on everything.

absolute yea to the clutch, yes yes yes, but SCREECH! one of the most read and re-read, dogeared books in my collection! premiering at Cannes!!! excuse me while I run in circles around the room, still undecided as to how dismayed or excited I should be.

…I just hope she’s not playing the mother/narrator…? She’s an Armenian character, for chrissakes.

carlabarla

absolute yea to the clutch, yes yes yes, but SCREECH! one of the most read and re-read, dogeared books in my collection! premiering at Cannes!!! excuse me while I run in circles around the room, still undecided as to how dismayed or excited I should be.

…I just hope she’s not playing the mother/narrator…? She’s an Armenian character, for chrissakes.

Fantastic, of course. I never understand her. Theoretically, I think she should look awful. But she is always more than the sum of her parts. There’s probably some terrific quote about never understanding the whims of the gods – but I am too much of a mere mortal to even remember it.

Christy

Fantastic, of course. I never understand her. Theoretically, I think she should look awful. But she is always more than the sum of her parts. There’s probably some terrific quote about never understanding the whims of the gods – but I am too much of a mere mortal to even remember it.

This is her idea of beautiful and interesting clothes (she doesn’t always please me, but I think she pleases herself). As I recall she lives with TWO men so I think the look is working for her heterosexually.

Aline

Not crazy about those bags.
BTW: There will be a Eurovision song contest post right, right??? ^^

Aline

Not crazy about those bags.
BTW: There will be a Eurovision song contest post right, right??? ^^

Anonymous

Yea, I love it, it works because of the size and most importantly because it is Swinton!

mozzer0906

Yea, I love it, it works because of the size and most importantly because it is Swinton!

It is crap and if it were not Tilda, I believe most would be saying so – CHEAP arts and crafts-y – reminds me of the stuff some little old ladies have loaded on their tables at craft shows – where I usually feel sorry for them when they have no customers

ask

It is crap and if it were not Tilda, I believe most would be saying so – CHEAP arts and crafts-y – reminds me of the stuff some little old ladies have loaded on their tables at craft shows – where I usually feel sorry for them when they have no customers

guest

I agree – I see Conan O’Brien in a pretty dress

Anonymous

I am having some difficulty seeing a meaningful difference between this clutch and, say, a clutch with the Nike swoosh on it. Out.

Yea! I like it, even though it borders on kitsch (and I don’t usually like kitsch). I think the size and the color are just right. A more contrasting color would have looked more, as you say, “artsy-craftsy.”

librarygrrl64

Yea! I like it, even though it borders on kitsch (and I don’t usually like kitsch). I think the size and the color are just right. A more contrasting color would have looked more, as you say, “artsy-craftsy.”

librarygrrl64

Even though I’m a librarian, I don’t necessarily love everything that’s shaped/decorated like a book. Kind of like how I have two cats but run the other direction from cat-themed items. *shudder*

Yea, and I too caught (and liked) the nod to the film she was promoting.

Lisa

I’m almost never ever a fan of what Tilda wears on the red carpet. Yes, I know, she marches to the beat of her own drummer, but I just normally hate it. But this? She looks GOR-JUS! And I never thought I’d say that about her!

As for the clutch, it does add a touch of whimsy and her own oddball style to an otherwise glammed up look for her. I like it!

ben

YEA

LocMama

Yea! This may give me the opportunity to smuggle reading material to my next boring social engagement.

So, I was all polite about it before. But now I’ve had my hypothetical evening wine and I’m feeling a lot less kind. What the fuck does looking butch or femme or anything in between have to do with her sexuality? So now lesbians can only be butch, and straight women can only look hyper-femme? Did you tell this to Agyness Deyn? What about bisexual women, where do we fit into your narrow definition of femininity? Because I am DYING to know how I should rearrange my wardrobe and revamp my makeup to please you.

Essentially, shut the fuck up and learn not to drag sexuality where it doesn’t belong.